Japan Helps WFP Provide Food to the Most Vulnerable Across the Middle East and North Africa
CAIRO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed contributions totalling more than US$36 million from the Government of Japan to provide food assistance in seven countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
JAPAN HELPS WFP PROVIDE FOOD TO THE MOST VULNERABLE ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
The biggest contribution, US$18.4 million, goes towards alleviating suffering in Yemen where over 20 million people are struggling to meet their daily food needs. Another US$9.2 million will be used in Iraq to provide food and cash assistance to displaced families while also creating sustainable livelihoods opportunities.
“We are grateful for Japan’s generosity and continued support to WFP in the region,” said Muhannad Hadi, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. “Japan has always been a committed partner, providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Three other contributions totalling nearly US$7million will allow WFP to provide food and cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan and to displaced families inside Syria. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the Government of Japan has contributed almost US$90 million to WFP emergency food assistance programmes in the three countries.
“Japan also generously funds expert Japanese humanitarian staff who work with WFP in a number of countries across the region,” Hadi added.
Additionally, in Libya and Palestine, where WFP’s humanitarian response is chronically underfunded, Japan’s generous support will allow for continued food assistance to the most vulnerable communities in both countries.
The breakdown of Japan’s contributions to the seven countries:
Yemen (US$18.4 million), Iraq (US$9.2 million), Syria (US$4.3 million), Turkey (US$1.8 million), Libya (US$0.8 million), Palestine (US$0.8 million), Jordan (US$0.8 million).